Marijuana initiative gets enough signatures

Constitutional amendment's ballot language must now be OK'd by Supreme Court.

Lloyd Dunkelberger

The state Division of Elections reported today that the campaign to place a medical marijuana constitutional amendment on the 2014 ballot has secured 710,508 validated voters’ signatures.

It means the People United for Medical Marijuana campaign has easily cleared the 683,149 signature total before the Feb. 1 deadline in order to put the initiative on the general election ballot.

“This is an amazing feat,” Ben Pollara, the initiative campaign manager said in a message to supporters. “I have to admit, less than a year ago I never thought we'd see this day. But thanks to your support and hard work, we were able to make history together.”

Pollara said “the only thing holding up official certification and placement on the ballot” is the Florida Supreme Court, which must rule on the ballot language by April 1. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other opponents have urged the court to strike the amendment, arguing that the language is misleading and that it would lead to widespread marijuana use in the state.